Bird watching and backyard feeding has experienced an explosion in popularity recently, leading to a massive surge in wild birdseed sales. Unfortunately, many cheaper commercial seed mixes contain filler seeds which attract nuisance birds (starlings, grackles and blackbirds).
An expensive mix will contain less waste, with more of the bird seeds you want at your feeder.
Contents
Black Oil Sunflower
Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (also referred to as BOSS) are one of the most widely consumed seeds used to attract wild birds. High in fat and protein content, BOSS provide energy-rich food sources while being an excellent source of calcium, Vitamin E and Potassium for wildlife species alike.
Finches, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and cardinals use these seeds in hopper, tube and tray feeders to attract finches, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers and cardinals. You may also sprinkle some on the ground to attract ground-feeding birds; when feeding these from ground feeders be sure to clear away waste hulls frequently to prevent bacteria build-up beneath your feeders.
Sunflowers require full sunlight for optimal growth. Although drought-tolerant, sunflowers perform best with at least weekly watering and require rich soil that is free from weeds.
Cracked Corn
Birds love cracked corn – it is easy for them to consume and provides both protein and fiber. Cracked corn is often included as filler in wild birdseed mixes to attract pheasants, quail, doves and Canada geese to your yard while simultaneously diverting Canada geese away from other more appealing seeds.
Cracked corn can be fed using large tray or platform feeders, hopper or tube feeders, or scattered on the ground. However, before offering any to your backyard friends it is essential that all silk threads be removed first.
Milo
Milo (Sorghum bicolor) is an inexpensive filler seed used in cheap bird seed mixes. Produced cheaply and providing little nutritional benefit for birds, Milo can attract rodent pests to feeders while often being rejected by them as they search for better seeds; eventually becoming weed seed in your lawn if your feeder sits over grass.
When creating your own feed, avoid seed mixes containing too much red milo, white millet or cracked corn. Instead, opt for black oil sunflower seed, white proso millet and cracked corn mix with some nyjer seed or thistle added for variety – suitable for hopper or tube feeders and sure to attract gold finches, woodpeckers, towhees and other songbirds; plus it includes grit for improved digestion! Ultimately the perfect feed can be tailored according to your birds feeding preferences!
White Millet
Round white seeds such as this are beloved by sparrows, Dark-eyed Juncos, Mourning Doves, Eastern Towhees and Quail birds alike. However, they’re frequently used as fillers in cheap wild bird feed mixtures but don’t tend to be eaten by feeder birds; low quality mixes usually contain high percentages of grain seeds such as red milo (sorghum) with some wheat for variety – leaving true seed eaters dissatisfied. Furthermore, cheaper mixes often quickly empty onto the ground, drawing unwanted birds such as European Starlings, House Sparrows or Pigeons!
This economy mix features black oil sunflower seeds to attract finches, nuthatches and woodpeckers; cracked corn attracts doves and quail. Grit helps digest their food efficiently for healthy birds – ideal for providing in hopper, tube or window feeders.
